Man and Woman in the Woods c. 19th century

Curator: This is "Man and Woman in the Woods" by Domenico Quaglio. He was born in 1787 and died in 1837. Editor: Immediately, I get a sense of being lost in a fairytale! It's so dense, almost claustrophobic, yet there's a gentle intimacy to the scene. Curator: Quaglio produced this etching, and others like it, to meet the demands of an expanding market for picturesque landscapes in early 19th century Europe. Editor: The figures seem dwarfed by nature, like they are discovering a secret, wild place, far away from civilization. It feels like a snapshot of a fleeting moment. Curator: Absolutely, that sense of the sublime, of the power and majesty of nature, was very much in vogue. Editor: I can almost hear the rustling leaves and feel the cool, damp earth under my feet. It's strange how such detailed lines can create such a strong feeling! Curator: I agree. The interplay between nature and humanity, both dwarfed and defined by the surrounding trees, really lingers in the mind, doesn't it? Editor: It does. It makes me want to run away to the woods myself!